Chapter 26 AMSCO. Themes Containment Communism UN Nuclear Proliferation.

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Truman and the Cold War, 1945- 1952 Chapter 26 AMSCO

Transcript of Chapter 26 AMSCO. Themes Containment Communism UN Nuclear Proliferation.

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Chapter 26 AMSCO Slide 2 Themes Containment Communism UN Nuclear Proliferation Slide 3 Introduction WWII Isolationist to military superpower, world affairs leader Revitalized American Economy Cold War Democratic United States vs. Communist Soviet Union Slide 4 I. Postwar America A. 15 million American Soldiers returning Need jobs and housing B. Economic Boom Increased Per Capita Income Increased Savings Accounts Few consumer goods to buy during war Consumer demand for autos = roads and economic/growth and prosperity Standard of Living Americans had the highest in history by 1950s Slide 5 C. GI Bill Help for Veterans 1) Economic Expansion Causes by gov. investment in ed and construction 2) Servicemens Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill of Rights) Education Half of 15 million paid by government 2 million attended college Boom in higher ed Low Interest Loans government backed Bought houses, farms, and started businesses Slide 6 Slide 7 3) Baby Boom Explosion in marriages and births 50 million babies born between 1945-1960 Baby Boom Generation By 1960, 1/3 of women worked outside the home Slide 8 4) Suburban Growth Levittown 17,000 mass produced houses on Long Island Low interest rates on mortgages Gov. insured and tax deductible City to suburb move became affordable Single generation, majority of Americans became suburbanites Caused the development of the inner-city Increasingly poor and racially divided Slide 9 5) Rise of the Sunbelt Southern States from Florida to California Warmer climate, lower taxes, and defense related jobs attracted GIs and families to the Sunbelt states from Florida to California Military spending during Cold War Helped shift industry, people, and political power Slide 10 II. Postwar Politics A. Truman Democratic Senator from Missouri Decisive leader, honest, and unpretentious Attempted to continue New Deal Tradition of FDR Slide 11 B. Economic Programs and Civil Rights 1) Employment Act of 1946 Truman proposed progressive measures: national health insurance, increase in minimum wage, a bill to maintain full employment. Bill was debated Watered down version enacted in of Employment Act 1946 Created Council of Economic Advisers Advised president and congress Conservative Congress throughout next seven years hindered Trumans domestic program Slide 12 2.Inflation and Strikes Inflation Truman wanted to continue price controls and limit inflation. South Dems. and Republicans recalled the OPA Inflation rose 25% in first year and a half of peace Strikes 4.5 million workers on strike in 1946 Railroads and mine strikes threatened national safety UMW Strike Truman sent soldiers to keep mines operating Slide 13 3. Civil Rights Truman was first modern president to utilize executive office to challenge racial discrimination Established Committee on Civil Rights in 1946 Strengthened Civil Rights division of Justice Dept. Helped desegregate schools 1948 Ended racial discrimination in the gov. and segregation in the military Supported funding for FEPC Block by Southern Dems. Slide 14 B. Republican Control of Eightieth Congress 1) Republicans Congress 1946 - Elected majorities in both houses Shift to conservative referendum Attempted to pass two tax cuts for wealthy Vetoed by Truman Attempted to push back the New Deal Slide 15 2) 22 Amendment (Ratified 1951) President two full terms in office 3) Taft Hartley Act (1947) Republican sponsored law to limit unions Truman vetoed law twice as, slave labor Outlawed close shop (requiring workers to join a union) Permitting states to pass right to work laws outlawing the union shop Outlawing secondary boycotts Presidential ordered 80 day cooling off period Slide 16 4) Election of 1948 Progressive party Trumans aggressive foreign policy threatened world peace Nominated Henry Wallace Dixiecrats Southern Dems. Nominated Strom Thurmond Republicans Nominated NY Governor Dewey Campaigned Cautiously Democrats Truman campaigned vigorously NY Times mistakenly declared Dewey the victor Truman won with 2 million in popular vote, 303 -189 electoral vote Slide 17 5) Fair Deal (1949) Truman proposed: National health care insurance Federal aid to education Civil rights legislation Funds for public housing New farm program Min wage and more workers under social security - only aspect passed Most aspects defeated b/c of Conservative Congress and pressing foreign policy concerns Slide 18 Slide 19 III. Origins of the Cold War A) Dominated International Relations from the late 1940s to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Occasional limited armed conflict Several instances dangerously close to nuclear war. B) Trumans Supporters Reasonable response to Soviet efforts to increase Communist influence C) Trumans Critics Misunderstood and overreacted to USSR Conservatives said he was being soft on communism Slide 20 D) Soviet Relations to 1945 Bolshevik Revolution was considered a threat to all capitalistic countries US Red Scare of 1919 US did not recognize the Soviet Union Until 1933 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact Allies in WWII US Soviet Alliance was one of convenience not of mutual trust Stalin wanted a western front earlier Conflicts were evident during the Big 3 Conferences at Yalta and Potsdam Slide 21 E) The U.N. Postwar Cooperation Founded in 1945 General Assembly Created to provide representations to all member nations UN Security Council 15 Members Responsible for maintaining international security 5 Permanent Seats (Fiver Major Allies of WWII) US, Great Britain, France, China, and the Soviet Union Hope was that nations would compromise on international issues Atomic Energy Commission Soviets rejected Bernard Baruchs plan to regulate nuclear energy and eliminate atomic weapons Critics cited this as a lack of peaceful Soviet intentions Slide 22 UN World Bank (1944) Created to fund re-building of the war torn world Soviets declined to join Nuremberg Trials Soviet participated in prosecution 22 Nazi War Criminals put on trial Slide 23 Slide 24 F. Satellites in Eastern Europe Soviet military forces occupied countries of Eastern and Central Europe Elections were held by the Soviets as promised by Stalin at Yalta Results were manipulated in favor of the Communist candidates Dictators loyal to Moscow were installed in power Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania Apologists said Soviets needed buffer states (satellites) to protect against another Hitler-like invasion Alarmed US and British Regarded Soviet Actions as the antithesis of FDRs four freedoms Especially wanted independence for WWII Slide 25 G. Occupation Zones in Germany Division was meant to be temporary Controlled by Soviet, French, British, and the US Eastern Zone under Soviet Occupation Evolved into a new Communist State (German Democratic Republic Oxymoron?) Soviets wanted a weak Germany for security and war reparations US refused war reparations not to commit the same mistakes of WWI Attempted to control all of Berlin Slide 26 Slide 27 H. Iron Curtain US Gets tough on Soviets Canadian spy ring atomic secretes Soviet occupation of Northern Iran Churchill espoused that the Iron Curtain had fallen on Europe Called for Western democracies to halt the westward expansion of communism Did Churchills speech anticipate or help cause the cold war? Slide 28 IV. Containment in Europe A) Truman adopted the advice of three top advisers to contain soviet aggression Sec. of State General George Marshall Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson Expert on Soviet Affairs George Keenan Patience and containment of Russian expansionism would cause the Soviets to back of world domination and live in peace with other nations B) Critics of Containment Walter Lippmann some areas were vital others were not C) Containment Supporters We had learned the lesson of Munich Slide 29 D. The Truman Doctrine Implemented for two reasons 1) A communist led uprising against the government in Greece 2) Soviet demand for Turkeys Dardenelles The Doctrine Truman asked Congress in March 1947 for 400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey against totalitarian regimes. Gained bi-partisan support Slide 30 E) The Marshall Plan Causes Europe lay in ruins after the war Harsh winter in 1946-1947 Growth of communist party in France and Italy Economic depression in Europe Details of the Plan Extensive economic aid to Europe Strengthen democratic governments 12 billion approved by Congress for European Recovery Plan Soviet Union and Soviet Satellites declined economic support Effects Helped Western Europe achieve sustained economic growth by the 1950s Ended real threat of Communism in the region Increased US Prosperity Increasing US exports to Europe Increased non-Communist West and the Communist East Slide 31 Slide 32 F) The Berlin Airlift Soviets cut off all land access to Berlin in June 1948 US Response Truman ordered US plans to fly in supplies West Berlin Truman sent 60 atomic capable bombers to England bases Trumans stand was partly responsible for his 1948 victory Stalins Response Decided not to challenge the airlift May 1949 Soviets opened highways to Berlin Long Term Consequence Creation of West Germany (US Ally) and East Germany (Soviet Satellite) Slide 33 Slide 34 Slide 35 Slide 36 G) NATO and National Security Since 1976 US avoided permanent alliances with European nations Truman broke tradition in 1949 Recommended the US join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ten nations joined General Eisenhower first Supreme Commander Truman stationed troops in Western Europe Warsaw Pact (1955) Soviet answer to NATO H) National Security Act (1947) 1) Created Department of Defense to coordinate Army, Navy, and Air Force 2) Created National Security Council (NSC) foreign policy 3) CIA employ spies to gather information 4) 1948 permanent peacetime draft Slide 37 I) Atomic Weapons US and Soviet Scientists engaged in an arms race Vied for former German scientists who left Nazi Germany after WWII. Soviet Bomb First tested in 1949 Hydrogen Bomb Approved by Hoover 1000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima US National Security Council Recommendations Quadruple US spending on defense Form global alliances with non-Communist countries Convince public that a costly arms buildup was necessary. Slide 38 J) Evaluating US Policy Critics of NATO cite that defense buildup only intensified Russian Fears and the arms race Supporter s of NATO One of the most successful military alliances in history In combination with nuclear weapons Outcome Checked Soviet Expansion in Europe and maintained uneasy peace until the Soviet Union collapsed Slide 39 V. Cold War in Asia A) Containment obtained in Europe was different to achieve in Asia B) Imperialist system in Asia crumbled after WWII C) Less responsive to US influence due to legacy of western colonialism D) Japan became closely tied to the US defense system Slide 40 E) Japan Solely under control of the United States Douglas MacArthur Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan Tokyo Trials Seven Japanese Generals were tried for war crimes and executed Changes in Japan new constitution (1947), parliamentary democracy, renouncement of war, liberated women, ended samurai feudal system, and limited Japans military Slide 41 F)US Japanese Security Treaty Occupation of Japan ended in 1951 Japan signed a peace treaty: surrendered claims to Korea and islands in Pacific Second treaty ended US occupation and provided for permanent US military bases G) The Philippines and the Pacific July 4, 1946 Philippines gained independence US retained important naval and air bases during Cold War H) China US supported Chiang Kai-Sheik's Nationalist party during the war Loosing power due to inflation and corruption Civil war renewed between Chiangs Nationalists and the Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong. Gaining favor of poor landless peasants Slide 42 I) US Policy in China Sent George Marshall to negotiate the civil war Compromise fell apart in months Truman ruled out armed intervention and sent 400 million in aid to Shek 80% of the money fell into communist hands J) Two Chinas By 1949 mainland China fell to the Communists Chang and the Nationalists took refuge in formerly controlled Taiwan US refused to recognize Mao and the Peoples Republic of China until 1979 Republicans were alarmed and blamed the Democrats for the loss Sino-Soviet Pact signed in 1950 served as proof of a Communist Conspiracy Slide 43 Slide 44 K) The Korean War After the defeat of Japan Korea was divided at 38 th Parallel North was occupied by the Soviets The US occupied the South By 1949 both armies withdrew North controlled by Communist leader Kim Il Sung South controlled by conservative nationalist Syngman Rhee 1) North Korea Invades the South June 25, 1950 North Korean army surprised the world an possibly Moscow by invading South Korea Truman called for a special session of the UN Security Council Took advantage of Soviet boycott and UN authorized force to defend South Korea MacArthur commanded troops Congress supported use of US troops but failed to declare war. Slide 45 Slide 46 Slide 47 Slide 48 2) Counterattack North Korean forces pushed South Korean and American forces to the tip of the Peninsula Inchon Assault MacArthur led an assault behind enemy lines in North Korea UN forces destroyed much of North Korean Army towards China China warned US of encroachment 1950 Masses of Chinese troops crossed border and dealt UN and forces a defeat, one of greatest in US history, drove US out of North Korea Slide 49 3) Truman Versus MacArthur MacArthur Stabilized fighting near the 28 th Parallel Called for an expanded war Including the bombing and invasion of mainland China Truman cautioned MacArthur concerning public statements MacArthur Recalled By Truman and Joint chiefs of Staff for insubordination Truman and the Democrats were considered appeasers for not trying to destroy communism in Asia 4) Armistice Signed in 1953, first year of Eisenhower's presidency 54,000 Americans had died in Korea Slide 50 5) Political Consequences a) Trumans supporters believed containment policy in Korea worked and stopped another World War b) Korean War used as justification for expanding the military and building the new jet bomber (B-52) and putting more troops overseas c) Republicans Characterized Truman and the Dems. As soft on communism Dean Acheson's Cowardly College of Communist Containment Slide 51 Slide 52 VI. The Second Red Scare A) Trumans administration believed Communists were behind civil wars overseas and believed that Communist conspirators had infiltrated the US State Department, military, and all institutions of American Society B) Security and Civil Rights Organized Loyalty Review Board in 1947 Investigated more than 3 million federal employees Thousands resigned or lost their jobs (1947-1951) C) Smith Act Leaders of American Communist party jailed Dennis et al. v. United States Illegal to teach the overthrow of the gov. by force or to associated with a group with this objectives Slide 53 D) McCarran Internal Security Act (1950) Over Trumans veto Congress passed the Act Unlawful to advocate or support est. of totalitarian gov. Restricted employment and travel of those joining Communist organizations Authorized creation of detention camps for subversives E) Un-American activities Un American Activities Committee in House of Reps Established in 1939 to seek out Nazis, now chartered with finding communists Investigated gov. officials, Boy Scouts, Hollywood film industry Many in Hollywood were blacklisted or tried for contempt ACLU Argued First Amendment protected free speech of unpopular political parties Slide 54 F) Espionage Cases 1) The fear of communist conspiracy supported by a series of cases. 2) However methods used to identify Communist spies raised serious questions 3) Hiss Case (1950) Worked for State Department Nixon and Chambers supported charges Accused of giving away US secrets Public wondered? 4) Rosenberg Case (1951) Klaus Fisch (UK Scientist) gave A Bomb secrets to the Russians Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Accused of providing A Bomb secrets and convicted of treason and executed for allegedly spying for the Russians Slide 55 G) Rise of Joseph McCarthy 1) Republican Senator from Wisconsin, used growing concern over communism 2) In 1950 reelection speech stated that 250 Communists were still working for US State Department. 3) Became one of the most powerful men in America 4) McCarthys Tactics Unsupported Accusations about Communists in Government Aimed to discredit Truman and wealthy Americans 5) McCarthy Hearings 1954 on Television McCarthy was seen as a bully Republicans and Democrats joined in a Senate censure of McCarthy F) Truman in Retirement Second Red Scare, stalemate in Korea, the loss of China and scandals surrounding Trumans advisors made his prospects for reelection minimal In the election of 1952 he was highly criticized Historians now view Truman as one of the top ten US Presidents Slide 56 Slide 57 Slide 58 Slide 59